A review of the challenges faced by professional translators both in Asia Pacific and worldwide. Translating is a key service in the knowledge economy, an enabler that uses and relies on the new technology of information and communication. But we know that translation and interpreting are processes that can often be by-passed by those who are bi- or multilingually competent. Indeed, if translation and interpreting were always needed, and always used, the sheer cost of global communication in money and time would act as a serious brake on growth.